An article published in the journal “Science Advances” reports genetic evidence that there are two distinct species of red panda, or lesser panda, (Ailurus fulgens) and not two subspecies, as per taxonomic classification that existed for over a century and based on morphological differences. A team of researchers carried out genomic research which led to the conclusion that there’s a substantial genetic divergence that adds to the differences found with the classic methods. Consequently, a new classification was proposed with the species Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens) and Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani) instead of the two subspecies. If confirmed, this result poses new problems in saving red pandas from extinction.

An article published in the magazine “GigaScience” reports a DNA sequencing of Architeuthis dux, commonly known as giant squid. A team of researchers led by Rute da Fonseca of the Danish University of Copenhagen employed a number of genetic techniques to obtain the complete genome of this cephalopod, one of the largest in the history of this group of invertebrates. Its DNA is very large with its 2.7 billion base pairs of DNA, approximately 90% of the size of the human genome. Among the interesting results there’s the discovery of over 100 genes that encode proteins of the protocadherin family, important in the correct connectivity of a complex brain.